Report: Chargers expect Gordon to return soon

Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is expected to return from a knee injury either against the Cincinnati Bengals next week or for Week 15's Thursday night game against the Kansas City Chiefs, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Austin Ekeler and rookie Justin Jackson are set to handle the backfield workload until the Pro Bowler is cleared.

A returning Gordon will be a huge boost for L.A. as it attempts to catch the AFC-West leading Chiefs, who sit one game ahead with five weeks remaining.

Prior to his injury in Week 10, Gordon was averaging a career-best 5.2 yards per carry and had found the end zone 13 total times this season.